As the investigation into her husband's fatal bicycle crash continues, this Delafield woman is taking it upon herself for safer roads

Shirley Yagoda (fourth from the left) is raising money to make bicyclists safer on the roads in the aftermath of a motorist striking and killing her husband, Dr. Brian Yagoda (far right), June 14 in Delafield. Also in this photo are Brian's three adult children, Allyse (from left), Kylie and Jared.(Photo: Submitted)

In the days after her husband was killed by a car while he was riding his bicycle in June, the Delafield woman made her intentions clear: She wants to make a section of Golf Road safer for bicyclists.

Brian Yagoda, 57, was struck by a driver heading east on Golf Road, west of Maple Road, at 5:05 p.m. June 14, as he headed home after getting a few items from a nearby Sentry.

The uncertainty of whether paving the shoulder in that area would appear on Waukesha County's capital plan budget anytime soon made Shirley Yagoda want to take action.

"I don't want to wait," she said.

So far, through donations, including a GoFundMe page, more than $36,500 has been raised for the Brian Yagoda Memorial Fund in this effort.

Fundraising continues

But more money needs to be raised.

A "conservative estimate" to turn the gravel shoulders into a smooth, 5-foot-wide paved shoulder from Maple Avenue to the sidewalks at the Shoppes at Nagawaukee could be up to $80,000, according to Carolynn Gellings, engineering services manager for the Waukesha County Department of Public Works.

No money has been allocated in the county's budget for the project, Gellings said. And while the county also has a paving program for more maintenance of roadways that provides some flexibility, Yagoda's project is more extensive.

A resident raising money for a large road project "is not something we typically see," Gellings said.

But Gellings added that Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow supports the project, and if the money is raised, the county will take over.

Gellings said road/highway projects take place during the summer. So if Yagoda's project were to be scheduled for summer 2019, she would have to present the money to the county by early next spring.

Tickets, which are $35 online and $45 at the door, will be available online at www.winemaniacs.com after Aug. 15.

Food will be provided, along with a cash bar. All ticket sales and 70 percent of the cash bar sales will be donated to the fund. There are also plans for raffle/silent auction items, along with a live auction.

Investigation continues

As Yagoda moves ahead with her plans to increase road safety, the investigation around the fatal crash also continues.

The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department is still looking into the crash and is being assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol.

It could take another month before the results of the investigation are completed, said sheriff's department Lt. Marc Moonen. At that time, the department will determine whether to seek any criminal charges through the District Attorney's Office.

The driver was not cited, but that doesn't necessarily mean criminal charges couldn't still be filed, said Jennifer Wallschlaeger, administrative deputy with the sheriff's department.

The initial crash report indicates the driver left the roadway and drove onto the gravel shoulder, striking Brian Yagoda, who was wearing a helmet. The report noted the driver operated the vehicle in "inattentive, careless or erratic manner," but it is unknown whether the driver was distracted.

A witness report backed up the crash report.

The man driving behind said the striking vehicle swerved toward the right shoulder of the road just before hitting Brian Yagoda. The witness said that at the time of impact, half the car was on the road and half on the shoulder.

Shirley Yagoda said the route her husband took that evening was a path he had taken many times. But she also said he had previously told her of his concerns over motorists' proximity to bicyclists.

"He had expressed to me how dangerous it was and how drivers would drive too close," she said.

Bicycling was his passion

Brian Yagoda is seen lifting his bicycle at a charity ride for MS. His wife, Shirley, said one of Brian's passions was bike riding, including motorcycles. He was killed riding his bicycle June 14 in Delafield.(Photo: Submitted)

But she said this fear wouldn't stop him from bicycling.

He biked all over the area, including to his office in Muskego. He also rode in many organized rides over the years, including Bike MS, which benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Helping people is what Brian Yagoda was all about, his wife said.

He was a beloved doctor who worked for ProHealth Medical Group in Muskego as a pediatrician and according to many of his patients, he went the extra mile to assist them and their families.

In the days after his death, the outpouring of support from these people was an emotional experience for Shirley Yagoda.

She said through his patients, she learned even more about her husband's "unselfishness" and dedication to his profession.

"He was one of a kind," Shirley Yagoda said. "Not many doctors go after hours to patient's houses to check in, but that's who Brian was."

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